Wednesday, September 8, 2010
| by Newberry leads all divisions of college football in total defense

INDIANAPOLIS - Following last Saturday's 55-0 rout of Livingstone College, the Newberry College Wolves find themselves leading the nation in six separate statistical categories. A total of nine categories see Newberry listed in the top 10 nationally.

The defense allowed only eight yards of total offense to the Blue Bears on Saturday. That average of 8.0 yards allowed per game is the best in Division II as well as all other divisions of collegiate football following the opening week. The eight yards was a school record, breaking the previous record of 21 yards allowed to North Greenville in 2001.

The Wolves limited Livingstone to minus-39 yards on the ground, which is also tops in Division II and is the second best mark in all divisions. Kent State limited Murray State to minus-65 yards rushing in its opening win.

Newberry is in an eight-way tie for first place in Division II in points allowed as the Wolves, East Stroudsburg, Harding, Kutztown, Mercyhurst, Ouachita Baptist, UNC Pembroke and Western Oregon all posted shutouts in their first games.

Newberry also leads Division II in kickoff return average (67.0 yards per return) and passing efficiency (214.13 efficiency rating). Kamaal McIlwain (Van Wyck, S.C.) returned the opening kickoff of the season for 67 yards, but does not currently qualify for the national lead in individual kickoff return yardage, as the NCAA requires an average of 1.2 returns per game. Bryan Ehrlich (San Antonio, Texas) has a stellar passing efficiency rating of 314.13, but does not qualify for the national lead in that category, as the NCAA requires a minimum of 15 passing attempts per game. Ehrlich was 6-of-9 for 108 yards and four touchdowns in the opener.

The Wolves are also tied for the Division II lead in sacks allowed, as they are one of 24 teams in the nation who have not allowed a sack.

Other categories the Wolves rank in the top 10 nationally are scoring offense (ranked fifth with 55.0 points per game), pass efficiency defense (ranked fifth at 49.68), turnover margin (ranked ninth at +3 turnovers per game) and pass defense (ranked fifth at 47.0 yards per game).